Carton filling machine



Nov. 15, 1932.

c. c. COLVER JARTON FILLING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 23,1930 Ill.

Nov, 15, 1932. c. c. COLVER CARTON FILLING MACHINE Filed April 23. 193010 Sheets-Sheet 2 '[10 ITufenT 21 hula? L Orngy.

Nov. 15, 1932. c. c. COLVER CARTON FILLING MACHINE Filed April 23, 193010 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nbv. 15, 1932. c, c, CQLVER 1,887,751

CARTON FILLING MACHINE Fi 1ed April 23 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 (gar/98[/[Zr 22 W dEFfEn-ne. 1

Nov. 15, 1932. c, c, COLVER 1,887,751

CARTON FILLING MACHINE I Filed April 25, 1930 1O Sheets-Sheet 5 (92 i II; {00 IE 13 1:71 i;

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' ImfQnTEI [Ear/es C fad/51' Nov. 15, 1 932. c. c. coLvER CARTON FILLINGMACHINE Filed April 23, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 9 .4! m7 w m a m n0 X... 7 J i q T 9 6 o h n 0 K, W I w a 5 -0 m .5 j 7 w L 0Nov. 15, 1932. c. c. COLVER CARTON FILLING MACHINE Filed April 23, 1950Nov. 15, 1932. c. c. COLVER CARTON FILLING MACHINE 1o Sheets-Sheet 8Filed April 23, 1930 Imfe nf f [Zak/4 9s [70.122 2 A ormgy.

Nov. 15, 1932. c. c. ,COLVER CARTON. FILLING mcnms Filed April 25, 193010 Sheets-Sheet 9 Nov.- 15, 1932,

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Patented Nov. 15,1932

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES C. COLVEB, OI OAK PARK, ILLINOIS,ABSIGNOB TO TRIANGLE PACKAGING OOIPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF ILLINOIS CARTON FILLING MACHINE Application filed April28, 1980. Serial No. 448,441.

This invention relates to improvements in carton filling machines and itconslsts of the matters hereinafer described and more particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

The primar object of the invention is to provide a machine which willdeliver measured quantities of more or less bulky or breakable articlessuch as crackers, cookies and the like, from a source of supply into thecartons or boxes in which they are to be shipped and i sold and this ina manner which is not only fast and accurate but which reduces breakageof the articles to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for this purposethat includes a reciprocating discharge spout, the bottom end of whichis adapted to enter and spread the flaps and associated liner ends ofthe carton to be filled as well as to guide a measured quantit ofarticles into said carton, discharge into the top end of the spout by asuitable mechanism provided therefor, the spout being withdrawn fromthe'carton after the same has been filled.

Still afurther object of the invention is to provide in a machine ofthis kind a spout, the discharge end of which comprises coacting membersadapted when in one position to enter the end of the carton bein filledand then swing laterally to open the aps of said carton to permit a freeunrestricted discharge of articles into said carton.

These objects of the invention as well as others, together with the manyadvantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with myspecification.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of my improvedcarton filling machine as when employed in connection with a cartonsupportmg means in the form of a conveyor.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation on an enlarged scale of that portionof the machine with which the invention is more particularly concernedand with the carton conveyor shown in Fig. 1, omitted.

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of those parts thereof shown in Fig.2 as when viewed from the right hand side thereof.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through one side portion of themachine as taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is another vertical sectional view through the bottom centralportion of the machine as taken on the line 5'5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6is a vertical sectional .view through the top central portion ofthe machine as taken on the line 6-6 ofFig. 2.

- Fig. 7 is a detail vertical sectional view on an enlarged scalethroughone of the disharg; spouts as taken on the line 7-7 of ig. 8 is a detailhorizontal sectional View as taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a' horizontal sectional view through the machine as taken onthe line 99 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 10 is anotherhorizontal sectional view through the machine as takenon the line 1o-10 of Fig. 2. r Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view onan enlarged scale of a certain two step clutch embodied in the mechanismof the improved machine and will be more fully referred to later.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view through the clutch of Fig. 11 astaken on the line 1212 of said Fig. 11.

s Fig. 13 is a detail VleW in front elevationof a modified form ofdischarge end of the spout mechanism.

Fig. 14 is a detail vertical sectional view as taken on the line 14--14of Fig. 13.

My improved machine which is especially adapted for use in connectionwith a carton support, such as a conveyor, includes a hopper at the topthereof adapted to hold a supply of the articles with which the cartonsare to be filled, the hopperitself being replenished in any suitablemanner as the supply diminishes. This hopper which is funnel shaped,discharges at its bottom into a sec-. ondary and distributing hop erhaving one or more tubes that deliver the articles into certain coactingmeasuring cups in a rotative plate, when said cups come into linetherewith, said cups measuring outeach load or quantity of articles tobe delivered into a carton when brought into a predetermined mo positionon the conveyor before mentioned. The measuring cups are open at theirtop and bottom ends and in the rotation of said plate the bottom ends ofsaid cups sweep over a non-rotative plate.

This no'n-rotat-ive plate carries discharge tubes or necksand when saidcups come into alignment therewith, in the rotation of the firstmentioned plate the cups discharge their contents into said necks. Belowsaid nonrotat-ive plate are provided spouts which are normally closed attheir bottom ends by carton flap entering and spreading members orplates. Said spouts have a vertical reciprocatory movement in timedrelation with re spect to the cartons on the conveyor to be filled.

As they ascend or move upwardly out of the cartons after loading orfilling them as will later appear, the flap entering and spreadingmembers of each spout close together. When the empty cartons on theconveyor reach a position in line with said spouts said cartons aremomentarily arrested and w ile thus arrested, said spouts descend and asthe closed and rather pointed end of the spouts (as formed by saidplates or members) enter .the en top end of the associated cartons, saidYates or members swing laterally to engage t e flaps of the carton andopen them outwardly. e

As said plates or members swing laterally to open sald flaps, the spoutsare still in descent and at that time, the measuring cups register withthe discharge tubes so that a measured quantity of articles passes fromsaid cups to said necks and into the top end of the associated spouts tobe ided thereby into the res ective cartons. withdraw om the cartonswhic become filled and so soonas the spouts clear the cartons, theplates or members again close the associated ends of the spouts, thefilled cartons move on and other empty ones take their place for fillingas before.

Referring now in detail to that embodiinent of the invention,illustrated in Figs. 1'

to 11 inclusive of the accompanyingdrawings, 1 indicates as a whole theframe of the machine which includes, laterally spaced, perpendicular riht and left hand posts 2 and 3 respective y, each of a channel bar crosssection. Each post is secured at. its bottom end to the mid portion ofan associated forwardly and rearwardly extending foot piece 4 of anglebar cross section and said posts are connected together by top andbottom, vertically spaced cross bars 5 and 6 respectively as well as bya circular late 7 dlsposed in a plane above that of t e top cross bar 5and which plate will be more specifically referred to later.

Secured to the posts 2 and 3 respectively, near the foot pieces arepairs of forwardly and rearwardly extending brackets 8 and 9 he s utsnow,

respectively and journalled in said brackets are transversely extending,horizontal shafts 10 and 11 respectively. The shaft 10 is the contmuouslrotating drive shaft of the machine and 1s driven through suitable s eedreducing mechanism 12 (see Fig.9) rom a motor 13 mounted on a bracketLion the rear side of the left hand post 3. On the right hand end of theshaft 11 is a clutch mechanism 15 driven by pulley and belt 16 from theshaft 10. A shifter mech'anism' 16 is associated with the clutch wherebythe shaft 11 may be. operatively connected to and disconnected from theshaft 10 so far as driving relation is concerned in a manner well known.

17 indicates an upri ht shaft disposed midwa between and in the plane ofthe osts 2 an 3. Fixed to the bottom end of sai shaft is 'a collar 18and loose on said shaft above the collar is a horizontally disposed yoke19 having a boss 20 extending toward the left hand post 3 as best shownin Fig. 10. A horizontal shaft 21 is journalled at one end in the bossof said yoke and is journalled at its other end in a bearing 22 on theinner face of the post 3. On the shaft 21 within the yoke is a bevelledpinion 23 which meshes with a similar pinion 24 fixed to the uprightshaft 17 so as to have a thrust bearing on the hub of the yoke 19 asbestshown in Fig. 5. On the shaft 21 adjacent the bearing 22 is fixed asprocket 25 and on the shaft 17 a short distance above the pinion 24 isfixed a sprocket 26.

In line with but spaced rearwardly of the upright shaft 17 is a secondupright shaft 27 arranged in the plane of the shaft. 11. The shaft 27.is journalled near its bottom end in the sleeve 28 of an invertedU-shaped yoke 29 engaged on the shaft 11 and is journalled at its topend in a rearwardly 1 extending bracket 30 made integral with the tocross bar 5 before mentioned. Fixed to the ottom extremity of the shaft27 within the'yoke 29 is a bevelled pinion 31 which meshes with asimilar pinion 32 on the shaft 11 also within said yoke. The shaft 27 isalso journalled at a point above the pinion 31 in a rearwardly extendingBracket 33 made integral with the bottom cross bar 6 before mentioned.

Fixed to said shaft 27 between the pinion 31 the hub 5' provides a partof the thrust bearing for said tube. Said tube extends up through thenonrotative plate 7 and has there secured to it certain diametricallyopposite disposed measuring cups 37-37 associated with a suitable feedmechanism tubes 38 employed in connection with a supply hopper 39. Thefeed mechanism tube 38 and hopper 39 just mentioned are referred to onlygenerally herein because they are more fully illustrated and describedin my copending ap lication filed April 23, 1930, and bearing erialNumber 446,440. However, it is mentioned in passing, that in theintermittent rotative movement of the tube an amount of the materialoperated upon, is delivered into said cups which measure the quantity ofmaterial to be delivered into each carton. Each cup) is open at its topand bottom and the open ottom wlpes over the top surface of the fixedplates 7 until said cups register with certain diametrically oppositedependin feed tubes 40 dependmg from said plate in the plane of theposts 2 and 3. When the measuring on s come mto partial register withthe feed tu es, the tube 36 ismomentarily retarded so that an initialdumping or. discharge from the measuring cups into the tubes takes placeand thereafter said tube is' again rotated to br ng the measuring cupsinto full re ister with the feed tubes to permit the nal dlschargethereinto. From the feed tubes the material is discharged into certainspouts as will hereinafter appear.

Intermittent movement is imparted to the tube 36 by the following means:On the shaft 27 just above the bracket 33 is located a suitable clutchmechanism 41 see Fig. 5. Said clutch includes a collar 42 having adepending annular flange 43 in the interior zsurface of which are formedrecesses 44.

Associated with and below said collar and loose on the shaft 27 is anannular pawl carrying plate 45 having a hub 46 to which is 51 keyed aspur pinion 47 that has a thrust bearing upon the bracket 33. Thispinion meshes with a spur gear 48 keyed to the tube 36 and engaging onthe hub 6 of cross bar 6 to form another part of the thrust bearing forsaid tube.

The annular plate 45 of the clutch 41 engage in any one of the notchesor recesses in the flange of the collar. On the bottom end of said pin49 is a dog 51 adapted to be engaged with trip fingers hereinaftermentioned to disengage the pawl from the recess 44 in which it isengaged and thus disconnect the plate 45 from the collar 42. A spring 52connecting the dog and plate, normally swings the pawl into engagementwith wherein the end thereof path of the pawl 51. the recesses. Theclutch mechanism 41 together with directly associated parts is enclosedby a cover 53, best shown in Fig. 5.

To the front of the posts 2 and 3 in substantially the horizontal planeof the clutch collar 43 is a transverse shaft 54 hereinafter referred toas the cam shaft and which is journalled in forwardly extending brackets54' on said posts 2 and 3. Fixed to said cam shaft is a sprocket 55driven by a chain 56 from the sprocket 25 on the shaft 21. Thecover 53is provided with cutaway openings 53 to accommodate the cam shaft 5411sbest shown in Fig. 2.

On the cam shaft 54 near the left hand post 3 is fixed a cam 57 adaptedto engage a roller 58 on the slotted front end 59 of a y extendinghorizontal rearwardly extending rod 60. The rear end ofsaid rod isconnected to the free end of an arm or lever 61, fixed at its other endto the top end of an upright rock shaft 62. Said shaft is journalled inan L-shaped arm 63 fixed to and extending rearwardly from the cross bar6 near the post 3. tom end of this rock shaft is an arm 64 diametricallyopposed to the lever and the free end of this arm is bent back uponitself as at 65 to form an abutment adapted when swung into one limit ofits movement to form a stop lvlhich is engaged by the pawl 51 of theclutch ment, the dog 50 is released rom that recess 44 in which it wasengaged to momentarily break the driving connection between the col lar42 and plate 45. S0 soon as the arm 64 swings in the other direction, itreleases the ters one of the recesses 44 under the action of the spring52 to again operatively connect the collar 42 and plate 45. A spring 66fixed atits ends to the arm 64 and to the cross bar 6 respectively, actsto normally throw said bent over end 65 thereof into that positionwherein it will stand in the path of the pawl Near the other post 2there is fixed to the shaft 54 a cam 57 adapted to engage a roller 58 onthe slotted front end 59" of a rearwardly extending rod 60*. The rearend of said rod is connected to the short arm 61 of a bell crank leverfixed to an upright rock shaft 62! This rock shaft is journalled in abracket 63 fixed to and extending rearwardly from the cross bar 6 nearthe cover 53. The lon arm 64 of said bell crank lever has its e end 65normally disposed in the path of the pawl 51 at a point spaced about 60ina clock-wise direction from the abutment as provided by the bent overend 65 of the arm-64. A spring 66 connected at one end to anarm 61 andat its other end to the cross bar 6 respectively, normally acts to throwthelever arm 64' into a position In each instance a spring acts to throwthe On the botwill stand in the I stop levers in one direction and a camacts to throw said levers in the opposite direction. Thus for eachrotation of the shaft 27 the pinion 47 is twice arrested and of coursethe tube 36 will likewise be arrested.

Between the posts 2 and 3 below the feed tubes 40 is a pair of spouts 67hereinafter referred to as the right and left hand spouts respectively.Each spout includes an open top inlet end 67 of substantially largecross sectional area, axially disposed with respect to the associatedfeed tube 40, and a discharge end 68 of a smaller cross sectional areawhich is offset inwardly and forwardly with respect to the axis of feedtubes to be disposed in the plane of a carton support of any suitablekind so as to overhang the same. As shown herein said support is in theform of anendless conveyor indicated as a whole by the numeral 69 to bemore fully referred to later.

Each spout includes inner and outer tapering side walls 70 and 71respectively, an inclined and tapered bottom wall 72 and a front wall 73having its bottom end part 74 arranged as a hinged door 01' lid as willsoon appear. The bottom wall 72 of both spouts are fixed to a cross bar75 having its end portions secured toupright runners 76. Said runnershave top and bottom sleeves arranged for a sliding guided bearing uponupright guide rods 77 each fixed at their ends by brackets 7 8 securedto the front portion of the posts 2 and 3. The open top inlet ends ofboth spouts are connected together by a cross bar 79 which together withthe cross bar 75 securely holds said spouts so that they may move as aunitary structure.

Extending laterally from each post 2 and 3 is a stud 80 on which ispivoted a bell crank lever 81, comprising a pair of arms 82 and 83respectively. The arm 82 of each lever is connected by a link 84 withthe bottom end of an associated runner 76 while the arm 83 Thus as thecams 89 engage the rollers 88, an

upward guided ascending movement is imvarted to the spouts 67 throughthe rod 85, bell crank levers 81 and links 84, and so soon as the camsweeps past said roller, a downward guided or descending movement isimparted to said spouts by the action of gravity, the springs 86operating to cushion this last mentioned movement.

The discharge end 68 of each spout is defined by a rectangular,horizontally disposed collar 90 (see Fig. 7) whereby the axis of saidend is arranged perpendicularly. To the front and rear of the collar 90of both spouts are transversely extending, horizontalshafts 91 and 92respectively, which are journalled at their ends in bracket plates 93fixed to and extending downwardly and forwardly from the cross bar 75.Supported by said shafts 9l92 are connecting brackets 94-94 includingbearing ears 94 in which forwardly and rearwardly extending shafts 95are journalled in the plane of the shafts 91-92. As is apparent fromFig. 8 of the drawings, the shafts 91-92 are disposed adjacent and arecommon to the front and rear walls of both spout collars 90, while thereis a pair of shafts for the side walls of each of said collars. On theends of-said' 95 which is also a rock shaft is secured a similar sleeve99. Fixed to the sleeve 98 are substantially triangular front and rearclosure or spreading plates 100-100 and fixed to the sleeves 99 aresubstantially triangular side plates 101 and the apex or pointed end ofeach plate 100-101 is provided with an extension finger 102. When theclosure or spreader plates are in that position wherein all the fingers102 are grouped together as shown in Fig. 7, the associated platesprovide a sub stantially inverted pyramid shaped closure or ointed endfor the spout. When the sha ts 9192 and 95 are rocked by means soon toappear, the said plates arecaused to swing outward into the positionshown in Fig. 3. As is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the said plates do notclose absolutely tight at their corners, but they do close tight enoughto form the pointed end for the associated spout whereby said ends ofboth spouts readily enter the associated carton ends.

On the bottom edge of the front wall 73 of each spout is fixed a pair ofbearing sleeves 103 and in the sleeves of both pairs of cars isjournalled a horizontally disposed shaft 104. The central portion ofsaid shaft, at a point between the spouts, is supported by a bracket 105from the cross bar 75. Fixed to the shaft 104 adjacent the sleeves 103are similar sleeves 106 which are fixed to the top marginal portion ofthe associated end part 74 of the front wall 73.

The bracket plates 93 each includes a depending arm 93 in which isjournalled a horizontally disposed rock shaft 107. Secured to one end(the right hand end) of said shaft is a bell crank lever 108 having 9.normally upright short arm 108 and a normally horizontal long,rearwardly extending arm 108. The arm 108 is operatively connected tothe top end of a rod 109 the bottom end of which is flattened and has alongitudinal slot top lap of the belt 118 are guide bars 124 to 110therein through which the shaft 54c!- tends. On said flattened end abovethetop end of the slot 110 is a roller 111 ada ted to be engaged by acam 112 fixed to the s aft 54 and in the periphery of saidcam is arecess 112' as best shown in Fig. 4. In the rotation of the cam shaft(which rotates counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 4) the cam 112 liftsthe rod 109, and through the bell crank 108'rocks the shaft 107. Whenthe recess 112' of said cam reaches the roller 111 on said rod, a shortkick, jerk or jiggle is imparted to the rock shaft as is apparent andthe purpose of this will vappear later.

The short arm 108 of the bell crank lever 108 is connected by alink1l3to the to end of an arm 114 fixed to the associated right hand) endof the rock shaft 92 so that the kick before mentioned is transmitted tosaid'shaft 92. On the other (left hand) end of the shaft 92 is secured arearwardly extending arm 115 and on the associated end of the shaft 104is fixed an arm 116. A link 117 connects the arms 115 and 116 and in thetop end of said link is a longitudinal slot 117 (see Fig. 7) whereby alimited lost motion is provided between said arms as the arm 115 startsswinging upwardly. It is pointed out at this time that in the upward orascending movement of the spouts 67 the linkage, arms and leversdescribed for operating the closure and spreadin members of the spoutsare in no manner a ected because the cam 112 is so positioned, that therod 109 may be carried with said spout-s, the slot 110 in said rodproviding at amount of lost motion necessary. I As before mentioned, anendlessconveyor 69 is exemplified as the support for the cartons beingfilled. Such a support maybe readlly correlated with respect to thestructure before described, and parts of said structure are employed inconnectionwith others to stop the cartons while on said conveyor, in aposition in line with the discharge ends 68 of the spouts 67.

Such a conveyor which is located in front of the filling machineincludes an endless belt 118 the top lap' of which is supported upon arelatively long platform 119 mounted on standards 120. The belt passesabout pulleys 121 at the ends of the said pulleys is driven y shafting122 and sprocket mechanism 123 from the shaft 10 before mentioned.

On the platform 119 on each side of the guide the cartons 125 to befilled, in their movement with said belt.. The cartons .as best shown inFigs. 3 and 4 are of a kind having top flaps 126 and suchvcartons may ormay not have liners therein. The empty cartons are placed upon the lefthand end of'the belt 118 between the guides 124 and have their bottomends closed and the top flaps normally stand upright. As a pair of openlatform and one of.

charge ends 68 of the spouts they are momentarily arrested. The cartonarresting mechanism is lpreferably made as a part of the fill-. ing macmore readily timed with respectto the operations of the-other parts ofthe machine.

The carton arresting mechanism includes a transversely extending,horizontal rock shaft 127 j ournalled in brackets 128extending-forwardly from the posts 2 and 3 respectivel Fixed on thisshaft is. a pair of depen ing arms 129 and 130 respectively and arearwardly extending, weighted arm 131. The arm 129 includes a forwardextenslon 129" adapted in one limit of movement of the arm to extendinto the path of movement of the carton 125 on the belt 118 to stop apair of cartons in a position in line with the discharge ends of thefilling spouts. On the arm 130 is provided a. carton engaging member130*.adapted to hold the next carton in line after the pair to befilled, in spaced relation therefrom during the filling operation.-

A link or rod 132 is connected at its top end to the weighted arm 131while its bottom end is flattened and is provided with a longitudinalslot 133 through which the cam shaft 54extends. .On this end of the linkor rod above the slot'is a roller 134 to be en aged by a cam 135 on saidshaft. Thus in t e rotation of-the cam shaft, the cam 135 im arts anupward movement to the link or ro to rock the shaft 127counter-clockwise. This movement occurs just after the cartons have beenfilled and the spouts 67 are moving up wardly so thatthe filled cartonsare released to move along with the belt 118. So soon as the cam sweeps.past the roller, the weighted arm 131 acts to swing the .shaft 127-clockwise to bring the arms 129 and 130 into car-' respectively and thefilled cartons have moved on and two empty ones have now taken theirplace. At about this time the measur-- ing cups 37 have been filled fromthe feed mechanism tubes 38 and said cups are swin ing toward thev feedtubes 40. During thIS movement of the measuring cups, the spouts aredescending and approaching. the empty cartons. As they enter the emptycartons the plates 100 and 101 swing outwardly to open out the cartonflaps as w ll later appear. As the measuring cups approach the feedtubes 40 and register therewith there is a complete discharge of thecontents ofv said cups,.,down through the tubes and spouts into thecartons. y

me as its operations may thus be Returning now to said discharge spouts,as the-discharge ends approach the open top end of the associatedcartons, the plates 100 and 101 enter the same. At this time, the cam112 moves into engagement with the roller 111 on the rod 109 and thisengagement of the roller imparts a rocking movement to the shaft 107. Inthe rocking movement of said shaft 107 the plates 100 and 101 swingoutwardly away from each other and swing the carton flaps 126 into afurther 0 en osition and the articles passing t roug the spouts fallinto the cartons. As

the said lates 100 and 101 thus swing outwardly the wall 74 of spout 67swings upwardly so as to provide more room for the articles as they passinto the collar 90 of the spout and thus they cannot pack up or am andbecome entangled in the collar. In this manner a free dischargeis'assured.

As the recess 112 of the cam 112 engages the roller 111 on the actuatingrod 109, a short reverse movement of the plates 100101 and wall 74 isprovided after which they again open as the remainder of the cam 112 enages the roller. Thus a entle kick or jer 1s imparted thereto so t at aloosening of the articles takes place. which prevents their packing andjamming.

The spouts now move upwardly, thus with drawing the plates or Spreadersfrom the cartons to permit a complete discharge of articles into thecartons and so soon as said plates have cleared the carton flaps, theyclose together. Thereafter the arms 129 and 130 swing rearwardly thusreleasing the just filled cartons when two other empty cartons moveforwardly to take the lace of those 'ust filled and the operation isrepeated as efore. The filled cartons pass to the discharge end of theconveyor where they are disposed of in any suitable manner as bytransfer to a flap sealing mechanism (not shown) which fastens'the openflaps in carton closing position.

In Fi 13 and 14 I have shown a slightly modifie form of closure plateand fla spreading mechanism now to be describe In said figures68'indicatesthe discharge ends of the spouts 67 and 91 and 92" indicatesthe front and rear rock shafts similar to the rock shafts 91 and 92before mentioned. 101 indicates the side plates which in thisinstanceare fixed or stationary ones and the front and rear plates 100 aresecured to the shafts 91 and 92' which are provided with upwardly anddownwardly extending arms 140 and 141 respectively, connected by a link143 so that when the shaft 92" is rocked in onedirection, the shaft 91"is rocked in the other direction and thus the plates 100 are caused toswing toward and away from each other into positions to coact with thefixed plates 101 to o n and close the bottom discharge end 68 0 eachspout.

to relieve Lee-1,751

to be practically eliminated. Such a machinev may be readily coordinatedwith a carton conveyor mechanism as described or may be used inconnection with hand fed cartons should it be so desired- While indescribing the invention I.have referred in detail to the form,arrangement and construction of the various parts thereof, the same isto be considered merel as illustrative of one embodiment of theinvention only so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as maybespecifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. A carton filling machine embodying therein aspout, including a part removable to relieve pressure on the articlestherein, means for feeding quantities of said articles with which thecartons are to be filled to said spout, means providing a support forsaid cartons, means providing a normally closed discharge end for thespout, means providing a relative movement between said support andspout end to bring them into operative relation for the passage ofarticles through said spout into said carton when said discharge end isopened and means for simultaneously opening said discharge end and saidspout part to relieve the pressure on the articles in said spout as saidarticles are discharged through said open end.

2. A carton filling machine embodying therein a spout, including a partmovable ressure on the articles therein, means for ceding quantities ofsaid articles with which the cartons are to be filled to said spout,means providing a support for said cartons, means providing a normallyclosed discharge end for the spout, means providing a relative movementbetween said support and spout end whereby said discharge end enters theopen end of the carton and means for simultaneously opening said spoutend when in said carton and for moving said part of said spout torelieve the pressure on the articles in the spout as said articles aredischarged through said open end.

3. A carton filling machine embodyin therein a spout, including anormally close swingable pressure relief plate, means for feedingquantities of articles with which the cartons are to be filled to saidspout, means providing a support for said cartons, means providing adischarge end for the s out, a plurality of members carried by sai spoutend and normally coacting to close the same, means providing a relativemovement between said support and spout end to enter said members intothe carton and means for simultaneously moving at least some of saidmembers into a positiono g said spout end to permit a passage 0articles, through said spout into said carton and swinging said plateinto open position to, relieve the pressure on saidarticles in the s outduring the discharge of articles into said carton.

4. A carton fillin machine embodyin therein a spout, inclu ing anormally close swingable pressure relief plate, means for a feedingquantities of articles with which the cartons are to be filled to saidspout, means providing a support for said cartons, means providing adischarge end for the spout, a plurality of members carried by saidspout end and normally coactin to close the same, means providing arelative movement between said support and. spout end to enter saidmembers into the carton and means for simultaneously moving all of saidmembers into a position opening said spout end to permit a passage ofarticles through the s out into said carton, and swinging said p iateinto open position to relieve pressure on said articles in the spoutduring the discharge of articles into said carton.

5. A carton filling machine embodying therein a spout, including a partmovable to relieve pressure on the articles therein, means for feedingquantities of said articles with which the cartons are to be filled tosaid spout, means providing a support for said cartons, means providinga normally closed discharge end for the spout, means for moving saidspout end toward and into operative position with respect to a carton onsaid support and then away from said carton and means simul taneouslyopening said discharge end of the spout when in said operative relationwith respect to said carton and for moving said part of said spout torelieve pressure from said articles as they pass out of the spoutthrough said discharge end.

6. A carton ,filling machine embodying therein a spout, including a partmovable to relieve pressure on the articles therein, means for feedingquantities of articles with which the cartons are to be filled to saidspout, means providing a support for said cartons, means oroviding anormally closed discharge end for the spout, means for moving'said spoutend toward and into the top end of said carton on said support and thenout of and away from said carton and means for simultaneously openingsaid discharge end while'in said end of said carton and for moving saidpart of said spout to relieve pressure from said articles as they passout of the spout through said discharge end. a

7. A carton filling machine embodying therein a spout, including aswingable wall part for relieving pressure on the articles in saidspout, means for feeding quantities of articles with which the cartonsare to be filled, to said spout, means providing a discharge sage ofsaid articles through the spout into end for said spout including aplurality of members normally coacting to close the same, means formoving the spout as a whole toward and away from said support to bringsaid discharge end into operative relation w th respect to the open topend of a carton on said support and means for simultaneously moving someof said members on said discharge end into open position while in saidend of said. carton and for swinging said part of said spout to relievepressure from said articles as t 'ey pass out of the spout through saiddischarge end.

'8. A carton filling machine embodying therein a s out, including aswingable wall part for re ieving. pressure on the articles in saidspout, means for feeding quantities of articles with which the cartonsare to be filled to said spout, means providing a support for saidcartons, means providing a discharge end for said spout including aplurality of members normally coacting to close the same. means formoving the spout as a whole toward and away from said support to entersaid members on said discharge end into the open top end of a carton onsaid support and means for simultaneously moving said members when insaid carton to open position to permit the passage of articles throughthe spout into said carton and for swinging said part of the spout torelieve pressure from said articles as they pass out of the spoutthrough said discharge end.

9. 'A carton filling machine embodying therein a spout, means forfeeding quantities of articles with which the cartons are to be filledto said spout, means providing a discharge end for said spout includingdevices some of which are movable, which devices normally close saidend, means providing a relative movement between said support and spoutend to bring said devices into operative relation within said carton andmeans for imparting an opening movement to some of said devices andwhich means operates to produce a vibration or kick. to said some ofsaid devices before final full opening thereof to permit the passage ofsaid articles through the spoutin'to the carton.

10. A carton filling machine embodying therein a spout, means forfeedingquantities of articles with which the cartons are to be filled tosaid spout, means providing a discharge end for said spout includingdevices some of which are movable, which devices normally close saidend, means providing a relative movement between said support and spoutend to enter said devices into said car'- ton and means for imparting anopening movement to'some of said devicesand which means operates toproduce a vibration or kickito said some of said devices before finalfull opening thereof to permit the pasthecarton.

11. .A carton filling machine embodying therein a spout, including amovable wall portion, means for feeding quantities or articles withwhich the cartons are to be filled to said tion for the passage ofarticles from the spout -end into said carton, means for opening saidspout end when in said operative relation with respect to said cartonand means for imparting a movement of said wall portion of the spout.

12. A carton filling machine embodying therein a spout, including amovable wall portion, means for filling quantities of articles withwhich the cartons are to be filled to said spout, a support for thecartons to be filled, means providing a normally closed discharge endfor the spout, means providing a relative movement between said supportand spout end to bring them into operative relation for the passage ofarticles from the spout end into said carton and means forsimultaneously opening said spout end and for imparting a movement tosaid wall portion of the spout when the discharge end is in operativerelation with respect to said carton.

13. A carton filling machine embodying therein a spout, includin amovable wall portion, means for feedlng quantities of articles withwhich the cartons are to be filled to said spout, a support for thecarton to be filled, means providing a normall closed discharge end forthe spout, means or moving the spout end toward and away from saidsupport into and out of operative relation with respect to a cartonthereon, means operative to open said discharge end and said wallportion of the spout when the spout end is in said operative relationwith res ect to said carton and means for closing sai spout end and wallportion as said spout end moves away from said carton.

14. In combination with a carton conveyor, a carton filling machineembodying therein a spout movable toward and away fromsaid con- .eyor, asivingable relief plate forming a part of said spout, means providing adischarge end for said spout including devices normally closing saidend, means operable in' timed relation with the movement of said spouttoward the conveyor to arrest the carton in filling position on theconveyor so that said spout end devices may enter the carton, means foractuating said devices to open said spout end while entering the cartonand for simultaneously swinging the pressure relief plate into openposition and means operable in the movement of the spout end away fromthe cart-on to actuate said devices to close the spout end and to swingthe pressure relief plate into closed position.

15. In a cartonfilling machine, a spout having a discharge end andincluding a movable pressure relief plate, a plurality of de Vicesassociated with the dischar e end to provide a normally closed,anguFarly formed bottom therefor and means for imparting movement tocertain of said devices to open said bottom of said discharge end andfor silmultaneously opening said pressure relief ate.

p 16. In a carton filling machine, a spout having a dischar e end, aplurality of devices associated with t e discharge end to provide anormally closed, angularly formed bottom therefor, certain of saiddevices including depending fingers thereon and means for impartingmovement to certain of said devices to open said bottom of the dischargeend.

17. In a carton filling machine a spout having a discharge end andincluding a movable pressure relief plate, a plurality of devicesassociated with said discharge end to provide a normally closedangularly formed bottom therefor, certain of said devices bein pivotallyconnected to said spout end and means for swinging the pivoted devicesfrom a position closing said end'to one opening sald end and vice versaand for simultaneously moving said relief plate into open and closedposltions.

18. In a carton filling machine a spout having a discharge end andincluding a normally closed pressure relieving portion, a plurality ofsubstantially inverted triangularly shaped plates each hinged at itsbase end to one side of said discharge end and normally coacting toclose the same, and means for simultaneously swinging all of said platemembers about their hinged base-ends into open position and for movingsaid pressure relieving portion of the spout into open position.

19. In a carton filling machine a spout having a discharge end, aplurality of substantially inverted triangularly shaped plates eachhinged at its base end to one side of said discharge end, and normallycoacting to close the same, a finger depending from the apex end ofcertain plates and means for simultaneously swing all of said platemembers about their base end into an open position.

20. In a carton filling machine a spout having a discharge end includingfour-side wall portions,-a rock shaft parallel with each wall portionand all operatively connected together, a plurality of substantiallyinverted triangularly shaped members each .fixed at its base end to ashaft and normally acting to close said discharge end and means forimparting a simultaneous rocking movement to all of said shafts to openand close said discharge end.

21. In a carton filling machine a spout having a discharge end includingwall portions, a rock shaft parallel with each wall portion and alloperatively connected together, a

plurality of substantially inverted tnangu' arly shaped members eachfixed at its base enditgigcfihaft aminormalld gngeractinftoclpse saiarge en an a spending 5 from tlfie apex end of members :nto

means or lmpartmgra movemen said shafts to open and close said dischargeend.

22. In a carton filling machine, a spout having a movable wall rtion anda discharge end, a lurality 0 devices associated with said discfiargeend and normally closing the same, some of said devices bein movable andmeans operating to move sai mov- 15 able devices together with said wallportion of said spout into open 'tion.

%??553' ii? HIi3" my an t a o 9 omnins OLVER.

